Now that the state has mandated home inspector education for all people entering the field of home inspection, in my role at Bellingham Technical College, I spend a few minutes almost every day speaking on the phone, or by Email, with potential students.

Most potential inspectors, who are checking out the choices in this field, are interested in the BTC program since it is offered through the state community and vocational college system. They ask what to expect if they take the Fundamentals of Home Inspection course that is offered in Bellingham.

The student will receive text books that retail for nearly $1000.00. They will also receive classroom training that will  be among the most intense three weeks they have ever experienced. Even former builders find that, during the course, they arrive at 8AM and they are still working on homework till 11PM or midnight. Then it is off to school the next day.

Along with the mandated 120 hours of classroom education, students will be introduced to wood destroying organisms and conducive conditions. If students want to, they can go on to become licensed structural pest inspectors as well as licensed home inspectors. Students, in the final week, take the final test and then begin 40 hours of intense field training. They have to do a report on each inspection and those reports come trickling in for the next week or two after the class is over.

When students are done, they not only learn the fundamentals of inspecting -- yes we admit there is more to learn after that -- but they also qualify to take the state licensing exam.

BTC had the first ever WA state approved fundamentals course. In fact, Rhonda Meyers. who manages the home inspector licensing program for the state, drove up to BTC that day to present the first ever certificates of completion of a "fundamentals" course.

Since she is a busy lady, Rhonda does not come up to do this for every class. But any student who completes the course, will receive this same certificate and the letter confirming that he or she has completed 40 hours of field training.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith